Fragrance

For Under $40, You Can Smell Like You Just Took the Most Expensive Trip to Rio

Katie Berohn  Tue, 11 Jan 2022  Who What Wear

Currently, I feel as far away as possible from a vacation. It's cold outside, and I've been spending most days inside my apartment. The seasonal slump that comes mid-winter is real.

One thing that's always guaranteed to pull me out of the winter blues is spritzing on a good fragrance to enhance my mood. I'm a big believer in using fragrance as a form of self-care, so I like to wear perfume every day, regardless of the circumstance.

Lately, I've been dreaming of taking a trip to Rio de Janeiro. Though a physical trip might not be in the cards for me right now, I can travel there in my imagination by misting myself with Sol de Janeiro perfumes. These vacation-inspired sprays are the next best thing to going on a real vacation—they're tropical, warm, and sweet.

Consider these fragrances your ticket to a sun-kissed escape, regardless of the weather wherever you are. The best part? Most of these sprays clock in at only $20, so even if you'll only be wearing them on a Zoom call, you won't need to feel guilt. (Plus, they wear like expensive perfumes.)

Key notes: coconut cream, orchid, toasted praline. If you were to bottle a poolside piña colada, you would end up with this fragrance mist. Young green coconuts add brightness. The bottle is also the perfect shade of turquoise, which will help you bring swimming pool vibes with you wherever you go. 

Key notes: bergamot, coconut, ambrox

Key notes: caramelized vanilla, toasted macadamia nut, tonka bean. Complement your dinner dates with this irresistibly mouthwatering fragrance that smells like a decadent dessert. Caramelized vanilla, macadamia, and tonka bean come together to create a gourmand fragrance that smells good enough to eat. 

Key notes: dark rum, honey, vanilla bean

Key notes: pistachio, salted caramel. There's no better scent to wear to the beach (or to transport yourself to the beach) than this layerable mist that encapsulates a sunny beach in Rio. Once you mist it on, you'll immediately think of crashing waves and salty skin.

Key notes: petitgrain, coconut, bergamot, solar musk, banana, pineapple, pool water, swimsuit lycra, sea salt

Key notes: pistachio, salted caramel, vanilla. Consider this fragrance the body mist's sophisticated older sister. This eau de parfum takes the addictive blend of pistachio and salted caramel and refines it to a perfume that's a bit more dressed up while still encapsulating summer. The disco ball bottle design will also look playful on any vanity.

Key notes: berry, jasmine, vanilla, amber, caramel

Key notes: black amber plum, vanilla woods, jasmine. This fragrance is cozy but still seductive. It's warm and balanced and guaranteed to get you tons of compliments. This is the perfect scent to wear if you want to smell amazing but don't want it to seem like you put a ton of effort in. 

Key notes: pear, rose, vanilla, caramel, amber

Key notes: passionfruit nectar, tiger orchid, pink patchouli, vanilla, jasmine honey. Stoke your adventurous spirit with this surprising, thrilling scent. It's unique, summery, and sweet. If you've ever wanted to smell like a global pop star, I'd imagine this is a scent they'd spritz everywhere. 

Key notes: grapefruit, vetiver, hazelnut cream, patchouli, pink peppercorn

Next up, 11 Perfumes Every Fashion Girl Will Be Wearing This Winter